Chaweng Beach Things to Do - 15 Activites on Koh Samui

The largest and most well-known place on Koh Samui is Chaweng, while Lamai is the second tourist center. We also stayed here during our first visit to Koh Samui over 10 years ago. Since then, we have gathered numerous Chaweng Beach tips and visited the place countless times. From a beautiful beach to breathtaking viewpoints and extensive nightlife, everything is offered here.

Our 15 Chaweng Beach Tips for Your Koh Samui Trip

Most of the action in Chaweng takes place along Chaweng Beach Road. Here you will find numerous restaurants, massages, shops for shopping, and also some bars. What else you can do at Chaweng Beach or in the rest of Chaweng towards the island interior, you can find out in our article.

How to get to Koh Samui

The easiest and fastest way to Koh Samui is with a direct flight from Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore. The international airport of Koh Samui was built by Bangkok Airways and therefore the price for a flight ticket is kind of more expensive, because they preserve a monopoly – with a few exceptions.

It’s cheaper when you go to Surat Thani or Nakhon Si Thammarat on the mainland of Thailand. Airlines like AirAsia, Thai Lion Air and Nok Air fly to those cities from the Don Mueang airport in Bangkok. At the destination airport you can take a bus to the Donsak Pier or Tapee Pier and from there a ferry to Koh Samui.

You can find the cheapest flights to Koh Samui on Skyscanner. I absolutely can recommend Thai Lion Air by the way.

Note: Bus and train connections are also available if you want to arrive even cheaper. However, the travel time increases a lot. Tickets and information on times can be found at our partner 12go.asia.

Accommodation in Koh Samui – our hotel tip

A hotel where we felt very comfortable from the start is the Amari Koh Samui. The resort is located right on the beautiful Chaweng Beach, but not directly in the busy center. Despite its central location, the Amari exudes a relaxed atmosphere. You are also in the middle of the action in just a few minutes.

The hotel offers two swimming pools and beautiful, modern rooms of various categories. All are equipped with air conditioning, TV, minibar and free WiFi. You can choose between a garden or sea view. The beds are of great quality and ensure a comfortable night’s sleep.

If you are looking for other hotels on Koh Samui, for example in places like Lamai, Maenam or Bophut? Then take a look at this overview.

1. Chaweng Beach

Chaweng Beach is not only the most famous but also the liveliest beach on Koh Samui. It attracts the most tourists but is still very clean. For us, it is also one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. White, fine sand and turquoise, clear sea water. Since Chaweng Beach slopes gently, you can swim here well with family and children.

During the day, Chaweng Beach is a paradise for sun worshippers. The downside of the beach is that there aren’t too many shady spots. Water sports activities like jet skiing are also offered on the beach but should always be enjoyed with caution. Along the beach, you will also find many resorts as well as some smaller restaurants or bars here and there.

At the Seen Beach Club (see next point) there is a public beach access. Here, in the late afternoon, the Thais also come to the beach. There are a few loungers you can rent and beach vendors offering food and various other things. You can also bring your own drinks or food and lie on the beach. The afternoon is the best time for this as it is not as hot and there is more shade.

If you want to experience a bit of local life at Chaweng Beach, come by in the late afternoon or evening and mingle with the locals. We have often done this and had great encounters.

2. Seen Beach Club

The Seen Beach Club is located directly at Chaweng Beach. It impresses at first glance with its chic ambiance and design. Since it is located right on the fine sandy beach, you can choose whether you prefer to swim in the sea or the swimming pool. Upon arrival, you need to get an assigned spot at the reception. Depending on the seat, this can cost up to 5000 Baht, which is credited towards your consumption. However, there are also free spots available.

The Seen Beach Club is part of the Avani Chaweng Samui Hotel & Beach Club. As a guest of the hotel, you can of course always use the Seen Beach Club. While calm music plays during the day to help you relax, there is occasionally live music or DJ sets in the evening to create a lively atmosphere.

The menu at the Seen Beach Club is a mix of local Thai food and international favorites, complemented by an extensive list of cocktails and other refreshing drinks. It is open daily from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM, sometimes even until midnight.

3. Chaweng Noi

One of the Chaweng Beach tips is Chaweng Beach Noi, which is located a bit south of the well-known Chaweng Beach. It is essentially the small beach of Chaweng. The beach is much quieter because you will find fewer water sports offerings and almost no beach vendors. The sand is fine and the water is usually very good for swimming here, except during low tide.

There are also a few hotels on the beach, such as The Fair House Beach Resort or the Sheraton Samui Resort. There you will mainly find guests seeking tranquility. Chaweng Noi Beach is a great place to spend a relaxed and mostly quiet day. Only occasionally can you hear the traffic from the ring road that runs relatively close to the beach.

4. Chaweng Lake

At the end of Chaweng Lake, there are several options for staying active while traveling. Although it is often too hot during the day in Thailand, many people come here once the sun goes down. There are a few free exercise machines right by the lake, a great track for jogging, and even a basketball court. Additionally, every day at 6:00 PM, there is an aerobics session with music that many locals attend. They are all friendly and warmly welcome anyone who wants to join in.

5. Easy Kart Chaweng

One of two go-kart tracks is located directly in Chaweng, in Soi Reggae almost at Chaweng Lake. It offers an exciting recreational activity for visitors of all ages. At the modern facility, you can drive various types of karts suitable for both children and experienced adults.

The track itself is in well-maintained condition and offers a mix of fast straights and challenging curves. Lap times are measured electronically, so you can also do time trials. In addition to individual races, there are also opportunities for group races, so you can have fun with your friends.

Open daily from 10:00 AM to 1:00 AM, and the price for Easy Kart starts at 500 Baht. Depending on the options you choose, it can, of course, cost more.

6. Central Festival

Located directly on Chaweng Beach Road or between it and Chaweng Lake is the huge shopping mall Central Festival. It spans two floors with nearly 90,000 m². The open-air mall offers many stores for shopping. You’ll find everything your heart desires – from clothing to souvenirs to electronics, everything is available.

There are also many restaurants, cafes, and a food court at Tops, which even offers German food. Additionally, there is a playground for children, a 3D cinema, and a gaming hall. Especially during festivals like Christmas, everything is always nicely decorated and pleasant to visit. Most stores are open from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

On the lake-facing side, there is also a small market daily, with various stalls selling food, souvenirs, and clothing. Additionally, on Thursdays, there is a small Walking Street on the opposite side of Chaweng Lake, which takes place starting around 5:00 PM.

7. The Roof

The Roof Samui is another one of our Chaweng Beach tips, and you can find it in the mountains above Chaweng. On the ring road near the Bangkok Hospital, there is a sign pointing to The Roof on the mountain-facing side of the road. Take this entrance and follow the road up the hill.

If you are not comfortable driving up the mountains, help is available. Some of the roads can be a bit steeper. As soon as you turn onto the road to The Roof, there is a parking lot on the right-hand side. There, a jeep service is offered for 100 Baht per person to take you to the viewpoint.

If you drive there yourself, you can park directly on site. At the reception, you will be assigned a seat. It was never really crowded during our visits. The Roof mainly consists of a wooden platform with seat cushions and a fantastic view over Chaweng and other parts of the island. Drinks and food are available on site, but you should expect higher prices. An iced coffee costs, for example, 120 Baht + taxes. With the view, however, it’s worth it in our opinion.

8. Nightlife

Not necessarily one of the Chaweng Beach tips for everyone. However, if you are looking for a vibrant nightlife, then Chaweng is the place for you. There are many options to go out in the evening. Along Chaweng Beach Road, there are various restaurants and bars, where live music is also played. You can start your evening in one of the trendy beach clubs like the Ark Bar, Elephant Beach Club, or Love Beach Club. You can sit directly on the beach, watch fire shows, and slowly get into the mood for the night.

If you want to move on later, you can go to Soi Green Mango, where there are several clubs such as Green Mango, Black Bamboo, or the Soundclub. There are also smaller bars that are well-attended every evening. Here, the night turns into day.

If you’re in the mood for something different, head to Soi Reggae at Chaweng Lake. While there are many lady bars, the Reggae Pub at the end of the street has also reopened. Here you can enjoy live music in a great atmosphere in the evening and also have a great time partying. It’s worth it, and we recommend checking it out!

9. Divas Cabaret

Attending a cabaret show is another entertainment option in Chaweng’s nightlife. In Thailand, you see many ladyboys. They are essentially the third gender in Thai society, comparable to drag shows in Germany. If you stroll along Chaweng Beach Road in the evening, you’ll see many of the performers handing out flyers and inviting visitors to their show.

The shows feature famous songs with show performances, but there are also choreographies to traditional Thai songs. On Chaweng Beach Road, you can find Divas Cabaret, which plays two family-friendly shows each evening. One at 8:30 PM and one at 9:30 PM. Admission is free, but the drinks are more expensive, which is how the cabaret finances itself.

10. Si Khao Night Market

A bit off the tourist hustle and bustle of Chaweng Beach Road lies the Si Khao Night Market. You can find it by following the road past the roundabout at Central Festival westward past the Khao Hua Jook Pagoda. Almost at the end of the road, you will see many stalls with white roofs on the right.

The Si Khao Night Market is definitely still one of the top Chaweng Beach tips. It is open daily from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM. On site, you will find many stalls to sample Thai delicacies. The prices are usually even cheaper here than on the Walking Streets. There are also seating areas between the rows of stalls and a few other shops offering souvenirs or clothing.

11. Lat Ko Viewpoint

Do you want to enjoy a great panoramic view of Chaweng without driving to a viewpoint in the mountains? Then just stop on the ring road shortly after leaving Chaweng towards Lamai. On the left side of the road, you’ll find the Lat Ko Viewpoint.

The viewpoint is frequented by many passing people and is great for a quick stop. Don’t be alarmed by the honking. There is also a shrine here, and many Thais honk three times as it is said to bring good luck. On-site, you can enjoy the view towards Chaweng Beach and have a delicious coconut ice cream.

There is also a path leading down to the sea, where you can take beautiful photos on the rocks. However, most visitors stay at the top. Another highlight would be a visit at sunrise, as you have a great view from here.

12. Muay Thai Petch Buncha Stadium

What would Thailand be without having seen at least one Muay Thai fight live? On Koh Samui, there are Muay Thai show fights almost daily, advertised with cars playing loud music as well as on posters and flyers. One of the largest Muay Thai stadiums can be found in Chaweng. Several fights in different age groups are held in one evening, making the show last several hours.

Often, ambitious foreign fighters also dare to get into the ring against local Muay Thai fighters. The spectacle usually starts at 9:00 PM, and for good seats, you pay 1500 Baht. For seats right by the ring, it’s 2000 Baht per person. You need to buy drinks additionally. However, you can also purchase your tickets online beforehand. Definitely an experience you shouldn’t miss during a visit to Thailand.

13. Heartshape Mountain

This lesser-visited viewpoint is located in the mountains of Chaweng. Even though the road there has some steeper sections, the visit is worth it. From the ring road, turn inland shortly after the Sheraton Samui. First, follow the signs to the Jungle Club. After a few minutes of driving, you will also see signs for Heartshape Mountain. Otherwise, use Google Maps and enter “Heart Shape & Elephant Care Samui” to find your way.

Once at the top, you can usually enjoy Heartshape Mountain without too many visitors. The breathtaking view is also the namesake, as the coast of Chaweng from here somewhat resembles a heart with a bit of imagination. You can order something to drink on-site, like a delicious fruit shake, and relax with the view. As you can see in the photo, there are several great opportunities to take memorable photos on site.

Additionally, there is the Elephant Samui Care, which we did not visit, so we cannot comment on how the elephants live and are treated there. Heartshape Mountain is open daily from 9:00 AM until about 6:30 PM, when it gets dark. Still quite unknown and therefore definitely one of our Chaweng Beach tips.

14. Food Village Market

The Food Village Market, formerly known to visitors as Chaweng Night Market, welcomes you with a view of Chaweng Lake on the opposite side of the street. While there aren’t too many shops, the few that are there offer a pleasant atmosphere with wooden decor and delicious food at fair prices. If you find it hard to choose, feel free to get advice on dishes from the staff on site.

The Food Village Market is open daily from 9:00 AM to midnight. You can also reach the market from Chaweng Beach Road, as it is located behind the popular Star Gym Fitness Center, just past McDonald’s. So, you can also spend your evening there with some cocktails, and sometimes there’s even live music on site. A great place to eat and relax.

15. Khao Hua Jook Pagoda

On Chow Daow Mountain above Chaweng stands the Khao Hua Jook Pagoda, which you can see from many parts of the surrounding area from afar. A road leads up the mountain directly to the temple on Koh Samui. Of course, you can walk up the mountain, but it’s easier with a scooter or a taxi.

The highlight of the Khao Hua Jook Pagoda is the 12-meter-high golden Chedi. The name Hua Jook comes from the Hua Jook tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment. As soon as you arrive and take the stairs to the Chedi, you will find statues and wisdoms in the trees.

Besides the Chedi, there is also a footprint of Buddha and, of course, a fantastic view of Chaweng Lake and Koh Samui Airport. You can even watch planes take off and land from here. Admission to the Khao Hua Jook Pagoda costs 20 Baht per person and it is open daily from sunrise to sunset.

Chaweng Beach Tips: Tours and Tickets

Do you prefer to explore with a guide who knows the area well? Then we recommend a guided tour with a local. This way, you can get to know Chaweng Beach in a completely different way. At GetYourGuide, you will find many exciting tours for Chaweng Beach.

Have you ever been to Chaweng Beach on Koh Samui? Do you have any other Chaweng Beach tips? Feel free to give us your feedback in the comments.